Behind the Scenes
Why did I write Pebble?
Why did I write Pebble?
Good question. I was in the middle of writing another fantasy series (which I’m still working on, by the way), when I stopped in to visit a friend who breeds and trains Gypsy Vanner horses. I am in love with these beautiful creatures. They look a bit like a draft horse, only smaller, with thick flowing manes and tails, and they have the temperament of loyal puppies. They love people and will show it by nibbling your sleeve or snuffling your shoulder and following you around. Driving home after that visit, my imagination took off and I started thinking what it would be like to bond deeply with a horse like these.
I know this is possible, to a degree, because it happened to me. I had a beautiful big Indian Paint horse years ago. We had reached that mystical point where he was anticipating what I was about to signal him to do, and I was anticipating what he was about to do. It was a wonderful feeling.
Then I starting dreaming about what it would be like to fly on such an animal. And the story of the Chevans of Ter Elsker began to take shape. Then the character of Pebble took shape and the story took off from there.
As most, if not all fiction is, this story includes a lot of me - my struggle to trust, my need to belong. I have realized, over more than 7 decades (gulp!) that I am not alone in these struggles and feelings. So I have built them into Pebble in the hope that they will help others.
Why that name? Well, if you know me and are familiar with my other books, which you can find on my website, you’ll know that I have a thing for stones. I grew up on the north shore of Lake Huron and also spent time on the north shore of Lake Superior, so rock was a big part of my landscape. I started collecting when I was quite young. The name Peramina, (small stone), which Chief Kirgan shortens to Pebble, seemed a perfect choice for the character I wanted to create.
Creating Pebble’s world has been a process. I’ll talk a bit more about that in a later post.
Do you have a question about Pebble or about any of my other writings? Don’t hesitate to ask and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
I’ll be posting these Behind the Scenes posts alternately with the Pebble chapters. The first chapter will go out on Monday August 24th. I hope you enjoy the read.
:)m